Guatemala

Ministry in Guatemala was initiated in 1997 when two families began meetings in their homes. Through extensive evangelism and the development of lay leaders the movement grew but lacked connection to the larger Body of Christ and the legal representation needed in Guatemala to satisfy government regulations. During the entire year of 1999, the young church prayed and sought the Lord for direction. In 2000, they were introduced to the United Brethren in Christ through an evangelist by the name of Ulises Rizo. Soon after, a relationship was formed with Rev. Juan Pavon, superintendent of our Nicaragua Conference and following another nine years of continued evangelism and multiplication, thirteen established churches, and four new church plants presented themselves to the United Brethren General Conference in Honduras in January 2010 for acceptance as a newly formed national conference. Rev. Francisco Najera, superintendent of the conference, presented aggressive plans to continue multiplying churches in both the capital and coastal regions of Esquintla.

Overview Facts for Guatemala

• Population: 13 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Guatemala City
• Area: 108,890 sq km (42,043 sq miles)
• Major languages: Spanish, more than 20 indigenous languages
• Major religion: Christianity, indigenous Mayan beliefs
• Life expectancy: 63 years (men), 71 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos
• Main exports: Coffee, sugar, bananas, fruits and vegetables, meat, petroleum, cardamon
• GNI per capita: US $2,400 (World Bank, 2006)

Flag Description

There are three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band. The coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath.